IMPARTIAL Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'impartial' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impartial are dispassionate , equitable , fair , just , objective , and unbiased . While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice. // an impartial third party

Q: When could 'dispassionate' be used to replace 'impartial'?

The synonyms dispassionate and impartial are sometimes interchangeable, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment. // a dispassionate summation of the facts

Q: How do 'equitable' and 'just' relate to one another, in the sense of 'impartial'?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned. // the equitable distribution of the property

Q: In what contexts can 'fair' take the place of 'impartial'?

The words fair and impartial can be used in similar contexts, but fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests. // a fair decision

Q: When is 'just' a more appropriate choice than 'impartial'?

The words just and impartial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper. // a just settlement of territorial claims

Q: When would 'objective' be a good substitute for 'impartial'?

While in some cases nearly identical to impartial , objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings. // I can't be objective about my own child

Q: When might 'unbiased' be a better fit than 'impartial'?

In some situations, the words unbiased and impartial are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice. // your unbiased opinion

impartial

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpär-shəl

Definition of impartial next

as in equitable

marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias an impartial evaluation of the job applicant's qualifications that does not consider age, gender, or race

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How does the adjective impartial contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impartial are dispassionate, equitable, fair, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When could dispassionate be used to replace impartial?

The synonyms dispassionate and impartial are sometimes interchangeable, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How do equitable and just relate to one another, in the sense of impartial?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

In what contexts can fair take the place of impartial?

The words fair and impartial can be used in similar contexts, but fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is just a more appropriate choice than impartial?

The words just and impartial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

When would objective be a good substitute for impartial?

While in some cases nearly identical to impartial, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When might unbiased be a better fit than impartial?

In some situations, the words unbiased and impartial are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impartial Nearly seven in 10 Americans doubt that the Supreme Court is impartial when making decisions. —

Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 The co-defendants argued that keeping the trial in Nelson County would impede their rights to a fair and impartial trial because the publicity and news coverage the case has received could lead to a prejudiced jury pool. —

Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Drones invite the viewer into a clear perspective, not an allegedly impartial record that sees itself as unquestionable. —

Keyaira Boone, Essence, 30 May 2025 Rather than forming an independent task force to conduct an impartial review, the measure would place full control of the study in the hands of the secretary of state’s office, which wants to eliminate these very factors. —

Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial

Adjective

Walsh adds that these issues won’t be solved without more equitable access to childcare for working-class families.

— Wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 July 2025
The fact is that allowing customer data to flow, under an equitable arrangement, is good not only for banks and fintechs but for society as a whole.

— David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

Definition of equitable

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“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Last Updated: 26 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of impartial

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More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

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Can you solve 4 words at once?

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